Building activity in Greece dropped 40.6% (volume) in August this year, compared with the corresponding month in 2008, while the number of permits issued fell 12.8% in the same period, the National Statistical Service said on 9 November. The statistics service said Northern Aegean (65.9%), Attica (57.6%) and Western Macedonia (56%) recorded the highest %age declines in building volume in August, while Crete (39.1%) recorded the highest increases. In the eight-month period from January to August, the volume of private building activity fell 29.8%, and permits issued fell by 15.8%. Active in the tourism sector participate in the 800-square-metter Greek pavilion.